Level 22
Level 22 sits on the 22nd floor of the Portomaso Business Tower at the northern end of Paceville, offering panoramic views of St. Julian's Bay, Sliema, and the Mediterranean. The bar takes up most of the floor, with floor-to-ceiling windows on all sides and an outdoor terrace that extends the views to open air. The cocktail menu is the most ambitious in Paceville, with a focus on premium spirits, house-made ingredients, and presentation that justifies the elevated prices. The crowd is noticeably different from street-level Paceville: older, better dressed, and more inclined toward conversation than dancing. Business travelers from the Hilton next door, couples on dates, and small groups celebrating special occasions make up the core clientele. The venue operates as a cocktail bar rather than a club, with no dance floor and music kept at a background level.
What to Expect
You step out of the elevator into a sleek, modern space with views in every direction. The Mediterranean stretches to the horizon on one side; Paceville's chaotic streets are 22 floors below on the other. The contrast between the calm up here and the noise down there is the venue's defining feature.
Elegant and calm, with the views doing the talking. The kind of place where you lower your voice without being asked.
Ambient lounge and chill-out. Music is intentionally unobtrusive
Smart casual minimum. Collared shirts for men. No shorts, no beachwear, no sneakers. This is the dressiest venue in Paceville.
Couples, sunset drinks, special occasions, anyone who wants views and cocktails without the Paceville chaos
Cards preferred, cash accepted. Expect to open a tab
Price Range
Cocktails EUR 14-20, beer EUR 7-9, wine EUR 10-15, champagne EUR 15-25 per glass
Cocktails ~$15-22 USD, beer ~$8-10 USD, champagne ~$16-27 USD per glass
Hours
Daily from 7 PM to 1 AM
Insider Tip
Go at sunset for the best views and golden light. Book ahead on weekend evenings. The signature cocktails are worth the premium over basics. Window seats fill first.
Full Review
Level 22 exists in a different universe from the rest of Paceville. Twenty-two floors above the sticky-floored bars and thumping clubs, it offers something that the strip below can't: perspective, both literal and atmospheric. The views are genuinely spectacular. On a clear evening, you can see Gozo on the horizon, and the sunset over the Mediterranean turns the whole room gold.
The cocktail program is serious. The bartenders know their craft, and the menu goes well beyond the vodka-Red-Bull basics that define most Paceville bars. Seasonal specials use local ingredients, and the classics are executed precisely. At EUR 14-20 per cocktail, you're paying a premium, but the quality and setting make it reasonable.
The crowd is Paceville's most mature. This isn't a venue for the language school crowd or the stag parties. Business travelers, well-off locals, and visitors who've specifically sought out something upscale make up the clientele. The gender balance is even, and the atmosphere is social without being aggressive.
The limitation is that Level 22 closes early by Paceville standards. By 1 AM, the lights are coming up, which means it works as a starting point or a self-contained evening but not as a late-night option. For many visitors, that's a feature rather than a bug.
The Neighborhood
At the top of the Portomaso Business Tower, at the north end of Paceville. The Hilton Malta is connected to the same complex. The Portomaso marina is at ground level with additional restaurant options.
Getting There
Enter the Portomaso Business Tower and take the elevator to floor 22. The tower is at the northern edge of Paceville, a 5-minute walk from the main strip.
Address
Portomaso Business Tower, St. Julian's
Other Venues in Paceville
Havana Club
Malta's largest nightclub occupying multiple floors with mainstream pop, hip-hop, and commercial dance music. The main room holds over 1,000 people on peak nights.
Hugo's Lounge
A multi-level rooftop terrace and lounge overlooking Spinola Bay with cocktails, DJs, and a dressed-up crowd. The views make it Paceville's most upscale venue.
Hole in the Wall
A long-running Paceville pub with cheap drinks and a young, rowdy atmosphere. It's been a staple of the strip for decades and fills early on weekend nights.
Club Numero Uno
An underground club playing electronic and house music with a darker, more intimate atmosphere than the mainstream venues on the strip.
Plum Bar
A popular pre-club bar with affordable drinks, outdoor seating, and a mixed crowd of locals and tourists warming up for the late-night venues.